Trailer for sale or rent - $15 million financing available

Okay, we're not quite sure that S&T Electrical Contractors Ltd. is willing to sell or lease its world-famous trailer on the Gateway site.

But after tonight's meeting of Sault Ste. Marie City Council, we can tell you that the $15 million in Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation funding earmarked for the Gateway project is still available.

For the right people.

With the right plan.

At least, that's what we heard from Chief Administrative Officer Joe Fratesi tonight.

Fratesi told City councillors that he's been assured by NOHFC officials that the cash isn't going anywhere, just waiting for "a good project."

And for those of you harbouring Garforthian fantasticulations of waterfront grandeur, we want you to know that your City councillors tonight agreed to issue a brand-new request for proposals for a major tourism project on the Sault's most famous vacant lot.

As we were telling you two weeks ago, Sault Ste. Marie City Council voted to terminate its downtown development deal with Philip Garforth's Legacy Quest Developments Inc., prompting litigious squeals from the skewered entrepreneur.

The new request for proposals will be drafted by the City's Gateway project team, which consists of Councillors Bryan Hayes and Susan Myers, as well as City staffers Bill Freiburger, Don McConnell, Jerry Dolcetti, Joe Fratesi, Nuala Kenny and Shelley Schell.

Their four objectives:

The committee agrees that any development of the Gateway site should achieve the following four objectives:

- Create a major, prestigious tourist attraction that will make a significant and lasting contribution to tourism in the Sault Ste. Marie area.

- Act as a catalyst for further economic development.

- Create jobs.

- Operate without public subsidies or contributions (excluding initial NOHFC (contribution).

Suitable RFQ responses must include:

- A general description of the tourism attraction and any other project components.

- Experience of the principal company and partners in developing and operating large tourism attractions.

- Record of financial strength and financing capabilities.

- Business approach to the development of the project.

- Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with a broad range of governmental agencies.

Prospective proponents will have until February 15 to submit their responses.